Studio Policies

General Information and Studio Policies

Welcome to Brito Piano Studio
Thank you for being a part of my piano studio. To ensure a smooth and positive experience for students, families, and the teacher, please review and follow the policies below. 

1.    Lesson Format & Expectations

             ·       Lessons take place weekly at Brito Piano Studio at the scheduled time.

·       Please arrive no more than 1-2 minutes before your lesson. Early arrivals may have to wait until the previous student is finished.

·       Students should bring all assigned music books and their assignment notebook.

·       I value every minute of every lesson. Having the full block of time will ensure that things run smoothly and we don’t have to rush through any portion of the material. Even 5 minutes late for a lesson can potentially be a major setback. I don’t have a penalty for tardiness, but I still want parents to be mindful.

2. Teaching Calendar

             ·   Spring lessons: Second week of January through the last week of May. One week off for Spring break. 

·           Summer Lessons: First week of June through last week of August. Students must commit to a minimum of 6 lessons during the summer season in order to retain their studio slot. 

·     Fall lessons: First week of September through the third week in December. One week off for Fall break. 

3. Attendance & Cancellations

 ·   Consistent attendance is essential for growth and progress, so I expect students to attend their weekly lessons. However, I am perfectly aware of the long list of legitimate reasons why a student may occasionally be unable to attend a lesson. Therefore, I am happy to work with parents to find a day/time that works for everyone for holding a make-up lesson(s). Missed lessons should be made up by the last week of the season. A maximum of 1 free absence per season (Spring and Fall only) will be granted, unless an exception is made due to special circumstances.  

 ·       If for some reason I have to cancel a lesson, and we are unable to schedule a make-up, I will discount the lesson from next month’s payment. 

      ·       Student cancellations:

At least 24 hours’ notice is appreciated.

Make‑ups are not guaranteed but may be offered when scheduling allows.

Same‑day cancellations and no‑shows may not be eligible for make‑ups or refunds.

·       Teacher cancellations:

If the teacher must cancel, a make‑up lesson or credit will be provided.

4. Illness

 ·       To protect all students, please do not attend lessons if the student is sick (fever, contagious symptoms, stomach illness).

 ·       A virtual lesson may be offered if the student is well enough to play but should stay home. 

5. Tuition & Payment

 ·       Tuition is charged monthly. Payment for each month is due on the first week of the month. I will send out a reminder ahead of time listing the number of  lessons that will take place in the month, and parents can make payment accordingly.

·        Tuition reserves the student’s weekly time slot; it is not based on attendance.

6. Materials & Books

Students are responsible for purchasing method books and other lesson material, and they should bring them to every lesson. If a student borrows one of my books, I ask that parents please help them take good care of it so I can pass it along to a future student.

             At minimum, students should have the following material:

·       Lesson book

·       Manuscript book

·       Sight reading book

·       Metronome (no need to bring metronome to the lessons)

·   Supplemental material

7. Practice Expectations

 ·       Regular practice is essential for progress. Recommended minimum: 20-30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. Younger and beginner students may need to start with shorter practices and gradually work their way towards longer sessions.

·       Parents of younger students should help create a consistent practice routine and provide an environment where the young pianist can practice with minimum distractions.

Thank You

 I look forward to sharing music with you and supporting your growth as a pianist!